Custos of the Holy Land arrives in Bethlehem ahead of Christmas celebrations amid COVID-19 restrictions

Bethlehem (QNN)- Father Francesco Patton, Custos of the Holy Land, on Saturday arrived in Bethlehem from occupied Jerusalem, marking the start of Christmas celebrations and St. Catherine holiday, kicking off on Sunday, reported WAFA.
The celebrations come amid coronavirus lockdown measures and health restrictions throughout Palestine. Patton was greeted by a handful of clerks, community leaders and journalists but with no public attendance in line with the Palestinian government’s decision on banning crowds.
Patton was met by Palestinian officials, including Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Rola Maayah, Governor of Bethlehem Kamel Hamid, Deputy Mayor of Bethlehem Hanna Hanania, Director General of Bethlehem Governor Police Brigadier General Tariq Al-Hajj, Bethlehem District Commander Brigadier General Nader Omar, and heads of churches.
WAFA quoted the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities saying the Christmas celebrations this year are going to be without tourists and pilgrims in light of the coronavirus restrictions, but that despite this, Bethlehem will remain in the center of the world attention.